Obama, Plame luncheon keeps politics off menu

(Crain's) -- More than 1,800 Democrats turned out for Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky's annual women's power lunch Friday to hear Michelle Obama and Valerie Plame-Wilson talk about how their lives have changed under the media glare.

But the elephant in the room was the pending race for the Democratic nomination for president, pitting Illinois' Sen. Barack Obama against New York's Sen. Hillary Clinton.

The energized crowd at McCormick Place seemed ripe for a debate between supporters of the two candidates.

Ms. Schakowsky actively supports Mr. Obama. Ms. Plame-Wilson -- the former CIA operative outed by a Sun-Times columnist, prompting a federal investigation, a conviction and questions about the Bush administration's methods of operation -- stands behind Ms. Clinton. And the crowd of women and a few men was split between the two candidates, though Mr. Obama clearly had the edge.

But nary was a word heard on the subject that has polarized Democrats in Chicago for months.

"We know that the goal is to take back the White House. We know that whoever the nominee is, it's all about that," said Cathleen Costello, a Clinton supporter and consultant who represents Emily's List, an organization that supports pro-choice candidates.

Some supporters thought it wouldn't have been polite for any public show of support for either candidate. Others were pleased that the tone of Ms. Obama's speech was driven more by issues related to women rather then political rhetoric.

The senator's wife, a mother of two young daughters, greeted the crowd with a "Happy Mother's Day" and a reminder that there's still time for men in the audience to pick up a gift.

She hinted at the length of her husband's campaign taking a toll. "There are babies who were born when he announced, who are now walking and talking," she said.

But mostly, Ms. Obama emphasized the struggles she says women across the country are feeling. "No matter who we support, we must be committed to working together," she said as the crowd cheered.

Ms. Plame-Wilson, also the mother of two, acknowledged meeting Ms. Obama before the noontime event, saying, "We have a lot in common. I will support the Democratic nominee whoever it is without question." And she kept her speech to the crowd focused on telling her story about what led to the government revealing her identity and its effect on her family.

"I had a career I loved. . . .I had to step away from it," she said.

Attendees, who dined on cheese tortellini, brownies and white chocolate-chip cookies, politely avoided any Obama vs. Clinton tension. And a few notables acknowledged it was important that the primary season wind down.

"I know what it's like to watch something grow and then have to let go," said Obama supporter Marilyn Eisenberg, co-founder of the Chicago Children's Museum, referring to Ms. Clinton's seemingly impossible ability to gain the nomination. "It's hard, but you have to let go. She has to let go."

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